The impact of gender norms on the national economy is an area that has been overlooked in extant literature. Since there has
been a paucity of evaluation of gender and gender equality from an economic growth perspective, compared to the extensive
literature on gender and gender equality, this study investigates gender-responsive economic growth within the regulation of
the classification created within the scope of the human development index. The study analyses the linkage between human
development and gender-related indices at four different levels of development. The relationship is analyzed using a panel
data analysis method with data from 1995-2021. The study finds that the variables that increase economic growth in the four
country groups are labor force participation rate and the gender-related development index. In contrast, the gender inequality
index decreases economic growth in almost every country. The present study’s findings indicate a relationship between
gender-related index (i.e., independent variables) and economic growth. The extant research findings demonstrate that gender
equality is a fundamental component of sustainable economic growth. The findings also provide evidence as to why gender
issues are addressed in the literature under the heading of “smart economy.” In this context, it is widely accepted that the
pursuit of gender equality is a prerequisite for the attainment of sustainable economic growth.